Operations

Layne's Chicken Fingers acquires 3 units in College Station, Texas

Photo courtesy of Layne's Chicken Fingers.

August 31, 2023

Layne's Chicken Fingers corporate operation has acquired three locations in College Station, Texas. The units had been under the helm of the brand's owner, Mike Garratt, before the brand franchised and prior to his recent retirement, according to a press release.

"I've had these restaurants for 30 years now, and it's really all I've been doing since my sophomore year of college," Garratt said in the release. "We've grown, the brand has gained recognition, we've built up a base of loyal fans in College Station, and now we're bringing Layne's to people throughout Texas and beyond. I've come to a place in my life where I am ready to turn them over to enjoy more time with my family — it will be quite life changing. But I've seen how receptive people have been to Layne's, and I feel comfortable and confident in my decision."

"Mike has decided that he is ready to retire and head off to his ranch — literally — and we thought that presented a good opportunity to bring the original stores in College Station to alignment with our current brand standards," Garrett Reed, CEO, explained in the release. "We'll preserve and encapsulate the brand at that original location, and the other two stores will be refreshed to meet our updated brand standards."

Garratt held the licensing agreement for a territory within a 50-mile radius of the brand's original store. He remains a partial owner in the company and continues to serve on the board of directors.

"I've put in my hard work. I think the brand has been improved. We've tweaked it over the years," Garratt said. "I think it's in a good spot, and I'm proud of what the team has done. I'm proud of everyone's hard work and the dedication that it took to bring Layne's to what it is now, and I'm excited to watch as it continues to grow."

The brand is looking at filling in Garratt's territory with additional units and will refresh the original College Station locations while still maintaining the flagship feel.